Meet Jim

Jim Palmer has spent most of his life serving Elmira and Chemung County — as a teacher, coach, volunteer, conservation advocate, and now as Chemung County Legislator for District 7.

Jim and his wife, Mary, have lived in the Town of Elmira since 1974. They raised their four sons here, and today they are proud grandparents to eight grandchildren growing up in the same community. For Jim, this is home. It is where he built his life, raised his family, worked with students and athletes, and continues to serve today.

Jim is a graduate of Notre Dame High School, Corning Community College, Elmira College, and the United States Sports Academy. He earned degrees in Business Administration and Economics, Social Studies Secondary Education, and Sports Management.

Before entering public service, Jim spent 20 years working in private industry as a manufacturer’s representative. He later began a second career in education, teaching Global History and Economics at Elmira Southside High School for 21 years.

Along with teaching, Jim spent many years coaching and working with student-athletes. At Southside, he served as Athletic Facilitator and manager for interscholastic sports from 1990 to 2013.

Jim also coached varsity baseball at Horseheads High School from 1990 to 1994, serving as assistant coach for the Blue Raiders under Coach Jim Keenan. During that stretch, Horseheads appeared in four sectional championship games and won the 1994 Section 4 Class A Championship, advancing to the New York State Class A Championship.

Jim has also coached youth baseball, basketball, football, and soccer in the Town of Elmira. For Jim, coaching was about teaching young individuals the value of showing up for others.

Jim has always believed in giving back to the community. Over the years, he has volunteered with youth sports programs, conservation education, and outdoor activities that help connect young people to the natural resources of Chemung County.

His volunteer work has included Kids Fishing Day at Eldridge Lake, youth pheasant hunts, conservation education programs, fish stocking efforts, and pheasant stocking efforts throughout the county.

Jim has also served in leadership roles with several local organizations, including President of Trout Unlimited, President of the Josh Palmer Fund, and Past President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians.

Today, Jim serves as Chemung County Legislator for District 7, representing residents in the Town of Elmira and surrounding communities. His focus has been on common sense, accountability, responsible government, and making sure the people of District 7 have a strong voice at the county level.

Jim currently serves as:

• Chemung County Legislator, District 7 

• Vice Chairman, Environmental Management Committee

• Member, Budget Committee

• Member, Highway Committee

• Member, Health and Human Services Committee

• Member, Aviation Committee

• Member, Buildings and Grounds Committee

• Member, Chemung County Soil and Water Conservation District Board

• Member, Chemung Valley Conservancy

Whether in the classroom, coaching on the ballfield, outdoors, or in county government, Jim has always tried to do the same thing: listen, work hard, and serve the community he loves.

For Jim, serving District 7 is not about politics. It is about people, family, and doing his part to keep Chemung County a place where families are proud to live, work, and call home.